A Review of the Diagnostic Features of Posteriorly Migrated Lumbar Discs with Reports of Two Cases.

BACKGROUND

The radiological features of posteriorly migrated intervertebral discs mimic tumors, hematoma, and abscess.

OBJECTIVE

The aim is to analyze two cases of posteriorly migrated lumbar discs.

CASES: Two males had features of cauda equina syndrome. Both had posterior lesions at L4/5 level in magnetic resonance imaging. The mass of the 41-year-old man had peripheral rim enhancement with gadolinium. The epidural mass was excised. The histopathology showed fibrocartilaginous disc. The 67-year-old man had mass with moderate enhancement. The mass had thinned the dura to appear as intradural tumor. The histopathology showed a fibrocartilaginous disc. Immunohistochemistry was negative for neoplasm.

CONCLUSION

A migrated disc should be considered in the case of a posterior extramedullary mass. The granulation tissue around the disc produces peripheral enhancement with gadolinium. Thin enhancement is common. Thick enhancement is also reported. Neoplasms have intense enhancement and inflammatory changes are seen in abscess.